The Diagnostic Value of MRI-Based Radiomic Analysis of Lacrimal Glands in Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of MRI-based texture features of the lacrimal glands (LG) in augmenting the imaging differentiation between primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (pSS) affected LG and healthy LG, as well as to emphasize the possible importance of radiomics in pSS early-imaging diagnosis. The MRI examinations of 23 patients diagnosed with pSS and 23 healthy controls were retrospectively included. Texture features of both LG were extracted from a coronal post-contrast T1-weighted sequence, using a dedicated software. The ability of texture features to discriminate between healthy and pSS lacrimal glands was performed through univariate, multivariate, and receiver operating characteristics analysis. Two quantitative textural analysis features, RunLengthNonUniformityNormalized (RLNonUN) and Maximum2DDiameterColumn (Max2DDC), were independent predictors of pSS-affected glands (p < 0.001). Their combined ability was able to identify pSS LG with 91.67% sensitivity and 83.33% specificity. MRI-based texture features have the potential to function as quantitative additional criteria that could increase the diagnostic accuracy of pSS-affected LG.

Textural Analysis of the Hyperdense Artery Sign in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Predicts the Outcome of Thrombectomy

“…The role of textural analysis in the prediction of various pathologies has lately become a trending topic for various studies [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. These features provide quantitative measures of the spatial distribution of pixel intensities within the brain tissue, offering valuable insights into the underlying pathophysiology of stroke and its response to treatment.…”

Advances in imaging of the lacrimal gland in Sjögren's syndrome: A narrative review

“…Muntean used MRI-based radiomics analysis to evaluate SS lacrimal lesions, achieving a sensitivity of 91.67% and a specificity of 83.33%. 48 This method effectively distinguishes lacrimal gland features between SS patients and normal participants. MRI-based texture analyses have the potential to serve as quantitative supplemental criteria, improving the diagnostic precision of LG impacted by SS.…”

“…According to MRI, the lacrimal gland affected by SS exhibits distinct characteristics, such as size changes linked to rapid fat accumulation. Muntean used MRI‐based radiomics analysis to evaluate SS lacrimal lesions, achieving a sensitivity of 91.67% and a specificity of 83.33% 48 . This method effectively distinguishes lacrimal gland features between SS patients and normal participants.…”

Advances in Sjögren’s Syndrome Dry Eye Diagnostics: Biomarkers and Biomolecules beyond Clinical Symptoms

“…Moreover, MRI sialography is regarded as the benchmark for disease stage assessment. A trailblazing 2022 study presented a novel approach using radiomics-a sophisticated analysis of radiologic images-to discern textual differences between pSS-afflicted and healthy lacrimal glands [38]. In pSS manifestations, the lacrimal gland's bifurcated lobes undergo changes, producing a modified MRI signature distinctly visible in T-1 weighted coronal images with fat saturation.…”